{"product_id":"valentini-puffer-canthigaster-valentini-saltwater","title":"Valentini Puffer (Canthigaster valentini)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eValentini Puffer\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCanthigaster valentini\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Saddled Puffer or Black Saddled Toby, is a pint-sized puffer with a big-eyed, begging-at-the-glass personality. A white body carries four dark saddle bars across the back, the face and belly are dotted with orange-brown spots, blue-green lines radiate around the eyes, and the tail flashes yellow. It stays around 4 inches, so it brings true puffer charm to tanks that could never hold a large porcupine or dogface puffer. It is not reef safe, but in a fish-only or fish with live rock tank it is one of the most entertaining fish you can keep. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish selection\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger, with live rock to explore. More room helps spread out its curiosity among tank mates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026. Puffers are messy eaters, so strong filtration and regular water changes matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. Feed once or twice a day with meaty foods, and include hard-shelled items like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-clam-on-a-half-shell\"\u003efrozen clams on the half shell\u003c\/a\u003e and krill several times a week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeak care:\u003c\/strong\u003e a puffer's teeth grow continuously. Crunchy, shell-on foods wear them down naturally. A diet of only soft food can lead to an overgrown beak that makes eating difficult.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScaleless fish:\u003c\/strong\u003e puffers are sensitive to many medications, including copper. Talk with us before treating a tank that holds one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanthigaster valentini\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eValentini Puffer, Saddled Puffer, Black Saddled Toby, Valentin's Sharpnose Puffer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, East Asia collection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNo, eats invertebrates and nips corals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, needs hard-shelled foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot reef safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Valentini Puffers eat shrimp, crabs, snails, and other small invertebrates, and they nip at coral polyps, feather dusters, and clam mantles. Plan on a fish-only or fish with live rock system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith fish it is curious and a little nippy. Slow swimmers with long flowing fins can get picked on, so skip mandarins, seahorses, and similar gentle fish. Good tank mates are active, sturdy fish such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-foxface-siganus-vulpinus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eYellow Foxface\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/three-stripe-damselfish-dascyllus-aruanus-saltwater\"\u003eThree Stripe Damselfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/coral-beauty-angelfish-centropyge-bispinosa-saltwater\"\u003eCoral Beauty Angelfish\u003c\/a\u003e. Like other tobies, it carries a skin toxin that protects it from predators, so do not house it with fish large enough to try to swallow it. One Valentini per tank unless the system is large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-clam-on-a-half-shell\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Clam on a Half Shell\u003c\/a\u003e, a favorite that also helps wear down the beak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-krill\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Krill\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e frozen food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-squid\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Squid\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/selcon-vitamin-fish-food-supplement-60ml\"\u003eSelcon Vitamin Booster\u003c\/a\u003e to soak frozen foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/innovative-marine-accudrip-drip-acclimator\"\u003eInnovative Marine AccuDrip Acclimator\u003c\/a\u003e for a slow, low-stress introduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it go in a reef tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It eats shrimp, crabs, and snails and nips corals and clams. It is a fish-only or fish with live rock fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it poisonous?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts skin and organs contain a toxin that protects it from being eaten, which is why predators leave it alone. It is not a danger during normal tank care, but do not keep it with fish big enough to try to eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it puff up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can, but a healthy, settled puffer rarely does. Never lift it out of the water in a net, since puffing up with air can harm it. Move it with a container instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it need crunchy food?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts teeth never stop growing. Shell-on foods like clams and krill keep the beak worn down so it can keep eating normally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI have seen a fish that looks just like this. Is it the same?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePossibly a Mimic Filefish, which copies the Valentini Puffer's pattern to borrow its reputation for being toxic. The filefish has a longer dorsal fin and a small spine on its head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48070958252251,"sku":"1265137","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_f63fbf36-0c39-4692-8ca1-7d472e5d1709.png?v=1781455330","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/valentini-puffer-canthigaster-valentini-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}